Is Konnect2Tools free?

Yes. Public tools are free and do not require an account.

Do you keep my files?

Server inputs and outputs expire according to the job retention setting (two hours by default) and are removed by periodic cleanup. Download the result promptly; deletion is not immediate at download.

Is the PDF to PDF/A tool safe to use?

Use HTTPS and only files you have the right to process. Server jobs temporarily store inputs and outputs until expiry and periodic cleanup. Keep an original copy.

What is the difference between PDF/A-1b and PDF/A-1a?

PDF/A-1b requires basic visual fidelity (the document looks the same). PDF/A-1a is a stricter level that additionally requires logical reading order, tagged structure for accessibility, and natural language specification. Use PDF/A-1a for documents that need to meet accessibility standards.

Will converting to PDF/A remove interactivity like form fields?

PDF/A-1b does not allow interactive form fields. If your PDF has fillable form fields, they will be flattened (converted to static visual content) during conversion. PDF/A-2 and PDF/A-3 allow certain forms and attachments.

Can I convert a password-protected PDF to PDF/A?

No — PDF/A explicitly prohibits encryption. Remove the password using the Remove PDF Password tool first, then convert to PDF/A.

Does PDF/A increase the file size?

Yes — embedding all fonts, including subsets, typically increases file size by 10–30% compared to a standard PDF. Colour profile data also adds to the size.

PDF tools

PDF to PDF/A

Ghostscript PDF/A-2 when configured; otherwise repack (server).

Run PDF to PDF/A online

Upload your file and run the job. Processing uses HTTPS and temporary storage; see the FAQ below for retention.

Enable JavaScript to use the interactive tool. Read the instructions, limitations and FAQs below before starting.

PDF/A is an ISO standard (ISO 19005) designed specifically for long-term archiving of documents. Unlike regular PDF, PDF/A enforces strict requirements: all fonts must be embedded, colour profiles must be specified, encryption is prohibited, and all content must be self-contained within the file. This ensures the document can be rendered identically decades from now, regardless of external resources.

Government agencies, legal institutions, and academic archives often require PDF/A for official document submissions because it guarantees future accessibility without dependence on proprietary software. The format is required for submissions to courts in many jurisdictions, for archiving birth certificates and property records, and for long-term storage of academic publications.

PDF/A comes in several conformance levels: PDF/A-1b (basic visual reproduction), PDF/A-1a (accessible, with structural tags), PDF/A-2b, and PDF/A-3b. Most archiving use cases are satisfied by PDF/A-1b or PDF/A-2b, which this tool targets.

How to use this utility

Open this page and upload the file you want to process.
Choose options if shown, then run the action. Processing is designed to finish within seconds for typical files.
Download the result immediately. Server-side jobs use temporary storage with automatic expiry.

Common use cases

Converting a legal agreement to PDF/A for court submission in a jurisdiction that requires archival-standard PDFs.
Archiving official business documents (contracts, certificates, registrations) for long-term storage.
Meeting the PDF/A requirement for academic journal submissions and institutional repositories.
Converting government-issued certificates to PDF/A for a national records archive.
Ensuring digitised historical documents are stored in a format that remains readable in the future.

Tips for best results

1Check which PDF/A version is required by your target system — PDF/A-1b is the most widely accepted.
2Some PDFs with transparency effects, multimedia, or JavaScript cannot be converted to PDF/A without stripping those elements — review the output carefully.
3Embedded fonts in the source PDF make conversion easier — if fonts are missing, the converter substitutes them.
4After conversion, validate the output using a PDF/A validator (such as the free VeraPDF tool) before official submission.
5Encrypted or password-protected PDFs cannot be converted to PDF/A — remove encryption first.

Frequently asked questions

Is Konnect2Tools free?: Yes. Public tools are free and do not require an account.
Do you keep my files?: Server inputs and outputs expire according to the job retention setting (two hours by default) and are removed by periodic cleanup. Download the result promptly; deletion is not immediate at download.
Is the PDF to PDF/A tool safe to use?: Use HTTPS and only files you have the right to process. Server jobs temporarily store inputs and outputs until expiry and periodic cleanup. Keep an original copy.
What is the difference between PDF/A-1b and PDF/A-1a?: PDF/A-1b requires basic visual fidelity (the document looks the same). PDF/A-1a is a stricter level that additionally requires logical reading order, tagged structure for accessibility, and natural language specification. Use PDF/A-1a for documents that need to meet accessibility standards.
Will converting to PDF/A remove interactivity like form fields?: PDF/A-1b does not allow interactive form fields. If your PDF has fillable form fields, they will be flattened (converted to static visual content) during conversion. PDF/A-2 and PDF/A-3 allow certain forms and attachments.
Can I convert a password-protected PDF to PDF/A?: No — PDF/A explicitly prohibits encryption. Remove the password using the Remove PDF Password tool first, then convert to PDF/A.
Does PDF/A increase the file size?: Yes — embedding all fonts, including subsets, typically increases file size by 10–30% compared to a standard PDF. Colour profile data also adds to the size.

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